Thank You Cards

Jason's family threw us a surprise shower this weekend, which was a total delight!  Not only did they surprise us with a shower, but they made it a garden-theme, which they knew we were wanting.  It was a great time, and I really appreciated how much effort was put into it.

After planting all day yesterday (and sun-burning my shoulders while I was at it), I decided to get creative by making some thank-you cards.  I am very happy with the way these turned out.  This is the first time I have used this stamp set (A Tree for all Seasons), and I have to say it's very cute.

Pictured below you will see my "Zen" vegetable garden, which now has more variety than many grocery stores (thanks Brianne!). Also pictured is a pre-existing lilac bush that has buds, but will not blossom.  Any suggestions?  Down at bottom is a forsythia that I received on the weekend.  I will still be gardening all week and into the weekend.  I will post more pics of the work being done next week.

I am so pleased with the way my card came out I have been inspired to plan a class featuring all thank you cards.  This class will take place sometime in June.  Details are not yet settled, but this class may include a stamp set.  I am thinking it should be a 10 card class (2 each of 5), since I'm sure there are many people out there we should be thanking...  I'll keep you posted, but let me know if you're interested.

Enjoy the weather!

Stampin' Shout Out!

I wanted to give a Stampin' Shout Out to two fellow bloggers who are also Stampin' Up demonstrators.

Heather is my Stampin' Up upline.  She is a creative genius, and I am fortunate to have her as an upline!  Heather is always willing to share her great ideas and is so supportive.  Check out her blog at: http://www.stampwithheather.typepad.com/

Martha is another SU demonstrator who is also in Heather's downline!  She is the one who has inspired me to work on my tiles over the last few days.  Check out her blog at:  http://web.mac.com/aninchofcreativity/An_Inch_of_Creativity/Blog/Blog.html

Here are the other tiles I did this week:

Tutorial

I thought I would post the "how to's" for those of you wishing to try your own tiles at home.  After stamping the image on my marble tiles using Staz-On ink (important!), I coloured them in using both my Stampin' Up chalks and water-colour pencil crayons.  I'm not sure that others use the pencil crayons, but I know for sure that other demonstrators are using the chalks.  I will let you know if through some disaster my water-colour pencils ruin a coaster.  I am hoping that the finishing spray I use is enough to keep them sealed.

I add the chalk pigment to the tile with a Q-tip, dabbing and pressing the colour where I want it to show.  I try to use a number of different colours and shades in each image to give it dimension.  When this pear is done it will likely have 4 shades of green and 3 of yellow in it.

 When I have the colours just the way I want them it will be time to put them in the oven.  I put my tiles in for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees C.  The theory here is that the ink and pigments will bake on to the tile.  I'm not sure about the science behind the idea, but if any of you has the answer, let me know.  Either way, baking seems to do no harm to the tiles.  Once they are cooled I spray the tiles with a Krylon finishing spray.  It is important to keep a distance of about a foot when spraying.  Spraying too closely may dilute your image and blur the Staz-On.  I like to do 3 - 5 light coats of spray using the matte finish.  A friend who used the shiney spray found it left her tiles a bit sticky.  

The final step is to adhere cork or felt do-dads to the bottom in the corners.  This will prevent your coasters from scratching your table tops.  I have heard of some spraying liquid engine sealant on their tiles prior to using the finishing spray.  This is supposed to make your tiles safe to use with hot drinks, as apparently very high heat can damage the finished coating.  I have not ever used this technique, as I don't imagine anything I drink is THAT hot.  Let me know if you have had experience with this though.  I am curious to know if I am omitting a critical step.

What do you thing of this handsome young buck?

Happy Birthday Junior!

I was feeling uninspired today, so decided to check out some of my favourite stamping blogs for inspiration.  Martha, a fellow demonstrator, is always doing such beautiful things with her tiles.  I also enjoy stamping on tiles (as those of you who attended my "Birds of a Feather" class can attest), but have never tried adding colour.  What do you think of my first attempt?

I stamped the images using the "Infinite Goodness" hostess set in Staz-On ink.  The more I use this set the more I love it.  I coloured the images using Stampin' Up chalks and water colour pencil crayons.  Using both allowed me to be more selective with the colours I used.

My favourite one has to be the dragonfly tile.  Everything just pops on this one - I love it!  The quote and the leaves make it look really full and balanced.

I have decided to give these lovely coaster tiles to my friend Junior, who turns 25 today.  Happy Birthday, buddy!  I hope you will like them :)

June Special!

Hello all!  I have leant my cutter to my dear friend Kate V. for a few days, so rather than making something new to post I thought I would fill you in on the latest promotion from SU.  For the month of June customers, hostesses, and demonstrators will be allowed to purchase the "Fresh Cut" stamp set from the Fall/Winter catalogue.  

The Fall/Winter catalogue?!  What?!  Can that be right?  It doesn't come out until August!

That's right, this is a sneak peek offer - but it gets better.  Also for the month of June we are able to purchase die-cut cards that coordinate with the stamp set!  They are gorgeous, and so perfect for anyone needing to make quick thank-you notes for wedding or baby showers, birthdays, etc.  They are seriously cute!  Have a look at the picture if you don't believe me!

Okay, but it gets better.  The stamp set is $25.95, and the note cards are $10.75 on their own, BUT if you host a workshop in June and bring in $525 in merchandise you will get the stamp set for FREE and the notes for only $5.95!  That's on top of the regular benefits you would get for hosting a workshop that successful (One free hostess set, and $60 in free merch.)!!  

If you are thinking you might like to host a workshop, and you have some friends who are serious about stamping/scrapping GIVE ME A CALL!  

Can you tell I'm excited about this promotion?

Mother's Day

I Love My Moms!

As you are all aware, yesterday was Mother's Day.  This is what I gave my Mom, and Mom-in-law.  When I saw this tote the first thing I thought was, 'I bet I can stamp that!'  After showing it off at one of my stamp classes one of my customers commented that the Pick a Petal stamp set would work perfectly.  She lent it to me, and was she ever right!

Best of all was how easy the card was to make!  I used SU cardstock in Very Vanilla, Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, and Tempting Turquoise.  I decided to use Old Olive ink on the Certainly Celery cardstock to add dimension to my green petals.  The stem was made using faux-stitching and the Certainly Celery Stampin' Write marker.  I didn't have any of the coordinating SU buttons around, so I just used some that I had saved up in an old button jar.

I am so happy with the way they turned out, and the Moms loved them!  I wanted to post this ages ago, but I was afraid it would ruin the surprise.  I hope you all had a good Mother's Day yesterday!

Cheers,

Last Chance!

That's right you guys!  This is your LAST CHANCE to sign up for the Big Sisters of London fundraiser with your local Stampin' Up crew.  I have posted some pictures just to let you know what you might be missing out on.

These are the die-cut stickers included in the kit.  They are made from cardstock, so they're really durable, match perfectly with the papers and inks, and have a nice matte finish.

Pictured above are the designer series papers included with the kit.  They are double sided, so you can mix and match your patterns.  They also coordinate with the four sheets of textured cardstock that are included.  The featured colours for the kit are Soft Sky, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive and Very Vanilla.  Love 'em!

Above I stamped each of the six stamps using the ink spots that you get with the kit.  I quite enjoy this set with the colour combo.  It has a decidedly modernized boho-west feel to it.  I can definitely see devoting this scrapbook to a toddler, although it works for older kids as well (including the young at heart).

Why a picture of a Stampin' Write Marker you ask?  Because everyone who signs up for the fundraiser with me will get one FREE in the colour of your choice.  Featured is the marker in Basic Black, but you can order it in one of the colours of the kit, or any other colour if you prefer.  I really like the black one for journalling and writing messages in my cards.  The paintbrush end can also be used on your stamps to stamp a multi-coloured image!  If you think that sounds crazy, ask me about it and I'll show you sometime.

If you are interested in purchasing this kit, or attending the fundraiser CONTACT ME ASAP!  I will need to put the order in by midnight on Tuesday, May 13.

Cheers!

Recruitment Sale!

Calling All Stampers!

If you've ever considered becoming a Stampin' Up demonstrator, or if you've ever admired the starter kit and all it has to offer, this sale is for you!!

Stampin' Up has just announced a sale on the Starter Kit!  The kit, which is valued at more than $400, usually sells for $260.  For this month the kit is on sale for $208, AND includes a free hodgepodge kit from the catalogue.  It usually costs $35.95, but you get it FREE!

This is a terrific deal that certainly wasn't offered when I signed up as a demonstrator.  Send me an email if you're even thinking about this deal, and we can get together and talk.  

Cheers,